Costel Pantilimon was Sunderland’s Hull hero – not Jack Rodwell

Ross Gregory

JACK Rodwell insists he wasn’t the hero at Hull – it was team-mate Costel Pantilimon.

Rodwell bagged a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Hull on Tuesday night to rescue a vital point for Sunderland.

Jack Rodwell

The Black Cats had been poor for the majority of the game, and were indebted to goalkeeper Pantilimon for saves both before Rodwell’s goal, and afterwards, particularly a stunning point-blank stop to deny Dame N’Doye a winner.

And Rodwell said it is the Romanian shot-stopper who should be getting the headlines, not him.

He said: “People will always look at the goals scored but they often don’t look at the saves made at the other end – Costel saved the game against Hull and he has been brilliant for us so long may it continue.

“It is always going to be tough away from home at this stage of the season, so it is a good point and although we want to win every game we play we can take positives from it.”

Costel saved the game against Hull and he has been brilliant for us so long may it continue.

Jack Rodwell

It’s FA Cup quarter-final ties this weekend, meaning Sunderland are without a game after their disappointing exit at the hands of Bradford City in the last stage.

They are back in action next Saturday at home to fellow strugglers Aston Villa, and Rodwell believes the rest will do the Black Cats good.

He added: “I think the fact we don’t have a game this weekend will help all of the lads mentally, and it also gives us a little extra time to prepare for another big game against Aston Villa.

“They’re down there near the bottom fighting for their lives as well so it is going to be a great game.”